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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Haleakala Bike Co. has a partnership with Hawaii Forest Bird Restoration Project in an attempt to help rebuild the habitat of native forest birds. This partnership includes a portion of our revenue going directly to planting native trees on the slopes of Haleakala. We also carry pamphlets and brochures from HFBRP with information about their organization and their restoration projects.

Haleakala Bike Co. participates in the Hawaii State Adopt a Highway Program. Through this program our company has adopted a stretch of highway on Crater Road, Hwy 378 leading up to Haleakala National Park. By adopting this highway we conduct biannual roadside cleanup events. The company, it's staff,and other volunteers assist in this roadside cleanup with the intention of maintaining the area, preventing trash and other refuse from collecting along this route, and preserving it's clean and natural beauty.

SUSTAINING THE COMMUNITY

Haleakala Bike Company has focussed charitable efforts towards the Haiku community, specifically the youth active lifestyle. Every Christmas season we have an event where we give away about 50 bikes to the community youth. The purpose is to encourage bike riding as a healthy and enjoyable activity. To further the efforts to promote this healthy active and outdoor lifestyle we have directly contributed to the Giggle Hill playground and park restoration project in Haiku.

Haleakala Bike Company has made many charitable contributions over the years to numerous organizations both local and elsewhere. We have participated in events held by local schools such as Haiku Elementary, Makawao Elementary, King Kekaulike High School, Maui High School, Lahainaluna High School etc. The company has directly contributed to the Sebury Craft fair as well as the Haiku Hoolaulea Flower Festival. This as well as nearly 50 other events since the beginning of the year.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Our Shop lights are only active during times of business. All lights are to remain off if not in use during hours of operation. We do not have any unnecessary lit up signage or billboards. We do have security cameras on the premises, both inside our shop and pointing out towards the parking lot. However we use the camera's built in night vision instead of external lights to light up the images or areas of coverage.

At our base of operation we do not have control over the landscaping. The property managers are responsible for maintaining the surrounding landscape. However as we provide our tour of Haleakala and Haleakala National Park, we do take extra effort to explain to our guests not to disturb the local environment. Specifically inside Haleakala National Park where you will find endangered plant and animal species, we take the initiative to educate our guests about these things and their ecosystem, acknowledging the importance of being cautious in not disturbing the areas in which they reside.

Within our main office we do not have running water. We do provide water to our staff and guests via water cooler in which we encourage people to reuse water water bottles. To wash our tour vehicles we do not use a continual water flow. ONE bucket of water is used per day, and when rinsing we only use spray nozzles to efficiently cover the needed surface area without running and wasting water.

To clean the gear we use for guests, we do use green and organic products that are safe for the environment as well as the people that use them. As part of our tours, as we discuss and educate our guests about our natural resources, it is mentioned that certain sunscreen and other chemicals can cause damage to the streams and ocean they may be swimming in.

When we arrive at Haleakala National Park, our vehicles are immediately turned off. Not only does this minimize the exhaust emitted from our vehicles, but also minimizes the sound of the vehicles up at the summit of Haleakala. Haleakala is a sacred place that must be a symbol of tranquility and purity. We emphasize the importance of our actions including the language, voices, and volume we use while up there.

Of course any company looks to fill every seat they have for obvious reasons. We also look to fill those seats in order to operate in the most efficient way possible. Haleakala Bike Co. was the first in the industry to use 25 passenger mini busses instead of 14 passenger vans. This allows us to take more guests at once, cutting our vehicle use in half. When using these vehicles we also do not let them idle when unnecessary. When we arrive at our destination we immediately turn off our vehicles. We also have researched and invested in, discovering, and implementing new technology and new vehicles into our fleet, such as clean burning diesels or energy efficient vehicles. No smoking is allowed at any point of our tour. It is prohibited from our property including vehicles as well as most areas of Haleakala National Park.

Not only are our drive guides informed, trained and educated, but all of our staff at Haleakala Bike Co. is well versed on the culture, history, environment, plants, animals, etc. Guests are encouraged to ask questions in which any of our staff would be happy to answer. We also provide brochures like the Haleakala National Park pamphlet that has a lot of relevant information. These materials are available at any point during the activity. At our base we do have a video constantly playing that shares information about Haleakala, it's natural resources and more.

An activity such as ours often time does produce a bit of waste in the form of water bottles. We first and foremost encourage our staff and guests to reuse water bottles and cups instead of discarding one use items. We also provide water bottles for purchase instead of only bottled water. However the guests often times do not have further use for their bottled water after their activity. We do not allow water bottles to be discarded in the trash. There are multiple recycling bins in our shop for proper disposal. Recycling is taken to the local recycling center weekly. All trash is collected, bins are available in all vehicles so that littering does not happen.

All systems/lights are turned off when not in use to reduce energy consumption. Our shop does not use AC. We attempt to use the natural Haiku breeze to cool down our offices. Although often times ineffective, the use of AC would not at all be efficient. Extensive research goes into the vehicles we seek to purchase. We look to find the most efficient and fuel saving alternatives for our vehicles.

We have two full time mechanics who service and maintain our fleet of tour vehicles. This maintenance is essential in providing a vehicle that is running properly and clean. Haleakala Bike Co. was the first in the industry to use 25 passenger mini busses instead of 14 passenger vans. We also have researched and invested in, discovering, and implementing new technology and new vehicles into our fleet, such as clean burning diesels or energy efficient vehicles. We have one main route from Haiku to Haleakala. No detours are made unless required by county road work or emergency situations. We do often provide pickup services from hotels, but we manage those pickups in order to efficiently fill seats while traveling to as little destinations as possible.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

All staff will participate in training programs to ensure the safety of our guests as well as being prepared to educate and inform guests in a proper manner. We have printed material available in shop about the local wildlife, plants, and history and culture. They are also encouraged to research and build a tour online. All information provided to our guests must be factual, management must approve of all tour material before use. All staff will also go through first responder training and be certified before providing a tour. Our drivers must have Commercial Driver License, this allows us to ensure professional and safe driving for our clients.

All staff of Haleakala Bike Co. will go through a training process which includes classes on native birds, foliage, and history. Our office will provide staff with books, pamphlets, websites and educational references in order to perfect the information we provide to our guests. Certifications are available and renewed yearly. We look forward to using STAH as another certification. All information used in our tours is accurate and factual and must be approved by management. Staff is encouraged to share their knowledge with guests and fellow staff as well.

Excellent

Good

Continuing Education

Adequate

New Guide Training

Excellent

Accuracy

Good

Natural Resources Cultural Resources Non Personal Interpretation

Adequate

Interpretation Method

INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT

The maintaining, conservation, and protection of natural resources is highly emphasized in our tours. Furthermore we have a relationship and partnership with Haleakala National Park, with the understand of how fragile these resources are and the importance of relaying that information to our guests. They are taught how to properly care for the environment by avoiding disturbing natural habitats when possible.

Just as with the Natural Resources, as part of our tours and practices, we do emphasize the culture and history of the Hawaiian people and lands. This culture is highly sensitive and must be presented in a factual and respectful manner. This is why all tour content must be approved in order to ensure it's accuracy. Respecting the culture is also a significant part of our tour, that may go from providing a Hawaiian chant as we do, to observing silence in sacred areas.

Our guides are providing first hand experiences to our guests by giving them an intimate setting with little distraction from the information being shared to them. We also provide the opportunity for guests to ask questions in which they should feel comfortable that the answers they receive are from a trained professional.

Not only are our drive guides informed, trained and educated, but all of our staff at Haleakala Bike Co. is well versed on the culture, history, environment, plants, animals, etc. Guests are encouraged to ask questions in which any of our staff would be happy to answer. We also provide brochures like the Haleakala National Park pamphlet that has a lot of relevant information. These materials are available at any point during the activity. At our base we do have a video constantly playing that shares information about Haleakala, it's natural resources and more.

All information shared with our guests must be approved by management. The information provided to our guests will be cross checked to ensure it's accuracy. We use the internet as a main resource, but also use books and the experience of the locals to provide us with corrected information.

Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii Needs You

STAH is a member based 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization run by volunteers. Our mission is to protect Hawaii’s unique natural environment and culture.